GL: Y valve lockout and how to do it

[Truelove39 at aol.com]

Hi  -
 
I  lived for 50 years on the eastern shore of  L. Champlain and  Penny and I 
still summer there aboard Seahorse at Essex Marina on the New York  side. It 
seems that there  is much speculation and too little fact on this subject - 
perhaps I can  help.  
 
Whose  literature says you can't discharge gray water? Probably that of some  
environmental group frustrated because they couldn't get their law passed. Or 
 some municipality, wishfully thinking. Please quote laws - not a vague 
opinion  of others.
 
The  thru-hull must be sealed - yes - put a plug in it - it's sealed. Don't 
believe  everything you hear. Most cops will accept a reasonable arrangement 
for  "sealing;" the letter of the law need not be met in most cases if you show  
reasonable intent to comply. In our vented loop I cut the hose and installed  
2 ABS unions. The low point on the pump side is fitted with a drain  back to 
the tank. Open the drain, remove the loop and screw on two plugged union  
halves in place of the loop. Store the loop in a big ziplock. Meets:  "Plugged 
discharge" and "section of hose removed" in one 2-minute operation.  Passes with 
flying colors.
 
Regarding  Charles' comment, how many marinas did you check? In our 
experience pumpouts are  no less expensive in most New York marinas than in VT. As I 
have posted  here before, Point Bay Marina on the VT side offers free pumpouts. 
All the  people at Essex go to Point Bay to pump for free. 
 
Please  get the facts straight!
 
Regards,
 
John
"Seahorse"
 
 
 
> Also,  there  
was literature in every Vermont marina which stated that "gray  water"  
from sinks and showers must be holding tank contained (not  true)!  We  
also understand that some Vermonters are trying to  extend the no  
discharge of oil statute to include washing of dishes  (salad oils and  
grease) and also shower water to wash off body oils  and sun tan  
lotions ???

The Vermont law states ".... the discharge  openings sealed shut and  
any discharge lines, pipes or hoses shall be  removed".  That means  
that you must seal the through hull fitting  and remove all discharge  
lines / hoses.   Another GL poster  claimed that you can leave the Y- 
valve in the system for a quick hook-up  when needed - but isn't a Y- 
valve part of the discharge lines /hoses  ???   The word "sealed" with  
regard to the through hull  fitting doesn't specifically say that it  
must be fiberglased and  gellcoated, just "capped" or "plugged" -- at  
least that is what the  "potty police" at one marina told  us.





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